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Rosé Bouquet

May 08, 2017 in Category: Wine Insider

TJ's Wine Insider is your go-to guide for Trader Joe's wines...

From the traditionalist’s perspective, the words “rosé” and “bouquet” don’t belong together. That’s because in wine-speak, bouquet refers specifically to those aromas that develop only during aging—characteristics of which youthful rosés have none.

So, how can we justify such a verbal pairing? Aside from the obvious rhyming fun, we submit that similar to “a bunch of flowers, picked and tied together,” we’ve picked and tied together a bunch ofwines... a Rosé Bouquet, if you will.

And, just like a floral bouquet, these wines are a vision of beauty—resplendent in rosy shades, from the millennial-pink leaning La Promenade, to the almost crimson Espiral. They’re also abundantly aromatic with fruity, floral scents—and flavors to match.

Summer is [b]looming, so now is the time to commence your rosé research… Motor to Joe’s to pick your own bundle of wines, and get them chilling before the first heat wave hits!

La Ferme Julien Rosé - Côtes de Ventoux, France

As models of rusticity, farms have charm. The aptly named La Ferme Julien Rosé is likewise rustic—a simple, charming rosé destined to go from Julien’s farm straight to your table. Modeled after the La Vieille Ferme line of Rhône Valley wines (and made by the same esteemed French wine makers) our version contains a blend of Syrah, Granache, and Cinsault grapes. It’s fragrant, showing notes of fresh red fruits, flowers, and citrus. The pale-pink color is a prescient precursor to its taste—a profile with profound lightness. Dry, but not exceedingly so, the subtle fruit flavor leads to a clean finish. Chilled, this is an ideal sipping wine for that sunny spring afternoon in the backyard… or barnyard, if that’s your kind of thing. Trader Joe’s has got your goat—and that’s nothing to be irritated about!

Les Portes de Bordeaux - Bordeaux, France

Now for a rosé Bordelais, arriving from an appellation associated with some of the most well known wines in the world… Les Portes de Bordeaux Rosé is made from the same “Bordeaux blend” (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot) used in many darker reds from this region. Here, the fourth-generation winemakers stop maceration short of rouge, settling for peachy pink. Pop the cork to open an aromatic, easy-drinking treat. Redolent of red berries, the fresh fragrance surrenders to crisp acidity on the sip. The dry, slightly savory side of this wine (heritage of the Cabs) blends masterfully with a sweetness (bequest of the Merlot), before making its elegant egress. “Visit” Bordeaux anytime you like, without traveling but a few miles—or however far it is to your nearest Trader Joe’s. This is a “gateway” rosé, no matter how you sip it!

Pairing: Serve chilled with Trader Joe's Seafood Paella.

Les Portes de Bordeaux is currently available in Trader Joe’s stores where wine is sold. The 750mL bottle is $6.99 plus tax unless otherwise noted here: CA: $5.99; OH: $7.99. Alcohol availability & price may vary due to state laws, taxes, shipment fees & other such stuff.

La Promenade Rosé - Côtes de Provence, France

Take a walk with us. By “walk,” we mean La Promenade—a wine of Provence, the leading rosé region of the world. The hills of Provence are alive with grapes destined to become rosé, including the Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, which constitute the bulk of this particular pink drink. (There’s also a little Provençal Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignon worked in for good pleasure.) Each sip of this dry, crisp, fruit-forward wine feels like a leisurely stroll. It refreshes with the aroma and flavors of red berries and citrus, ambling on to a round, flavorful finish. We wouldn’t call it a walk on the wild side; it’s more like a walk in the park—where flowers are blooming and all the neighbors are out and smiling. Promenade our wine aisle to pick up this perfect Provence wine. It’ll add some cachet to your rosé cache.

La Promenade Rosé is currently available in Trader Joe’s stores where wine is sold. The 750mL bottle is $9.99 plus tax. Alcohol availability & price may vary due to state laws, taxes, shipment fees & other such stuff.

Espiral Vinho Rosé - Vinho Verde, Portugal

The Portuguese like to say: “Good talk saves the food.” True enough… but we think it works the other way, too: “Good food (and drink!) save the conversation.” With Espiral Vinho Rosé on your table, there will be plenty of good conversation (and, good wine) to go around. From the Vinho Verde region of Portugal, this pomegranate-colored rosé is fresh and light; similar to the white wines for which this region is renowned. Native Vinhao, Azal, and Borracal grapes blend to produce fruity aromas with flavors of raspberries and strawberries that are buoyed by subtle bubbles. When it comes to wines, you might say Trader Joe’s has “spent many years turning chickens” (a Portuguese saying denoting lots of experience), but don’t just take our word for it. Go buy some Espiral Vinho Rosé for yourself, and see if it doesn’t deliver on all our good talk.

Pairing: Serve chilled with our Vegetable or Chicken Spring Rolls.

Espiral Vinho Rosé is currently available in Trader Joe’s stores where wine is sold. The 750mL bottle is $4.99 plus tax unless otherwise noted here: AL, NM, OH: $5.49. Alcohol availability & price may vary due to state laws, taxes, shipment fees & other such stuff.

Cuvée Sainte-Hélène Rosé - Languedoc, France

We call Cuvée Sainte-Hélène the wine that launched a thousand sips. It’s not just the 1.5-liter size that promotes voluminous quaffing; it’s the well-balanced nature of this fruity and crisp Rosé. Languedoc, from whence it sails, boasts the oldest planted vineyards in France—thanks to the ancient Greeks. Unfortunately, this region lost its way when it became known in the nineteenth century for mass production of inexpensive and watered down wines used to quench the unrefined palates of the rapidly increasing industrial workforce... Fortunately, Cuvée Sainte-Hélène is a leading example of the quality that’s now returning to Languedoc. This special blend of Grenache and Syrah grapes (named for the wife of the wine-maker’s dear friend) becomes hints of red berries, red currants, and spice on the nose. In your mouth, it’s fruit-forward and elegantly dry. The Greeks would be proud. You will be pleased, especially after experiencing this irresistible value.

Cuvée Sainte-Hélène Rosé is currently available in Trader Joe’s stores where wine is sold. The large, 1.5L bottle is $12.99 plus tax. Alcohol availability & price may vary due to state laws, taxes, shipment fees & other such stuff.